The Warm Front scheme closes at the end of this year. It enables low income households to claim grants of up to £3,500 (or £6,000 if they are off the gas grid) to install heating systems and energy efficiency measures.
Last month the government laid new rules for the scheme before parliament to enable more households to qualify for help (see this story). Today, Consumer Focus published research that suggested some six million households plan to cut back on heating their home this winter because they are worried about the cost. The watchdog, alongside Citizens Advice, Age UK and National Children’s Bureau, is urging people to apply for the grants, and said millions of pounds of Warm Front cash remains unspent.
The call follows that made last month by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (see this story). The department of energy and climate change (Decc) has is also keen to see the funds used (see this story).
Consumer Focus said the number of applications for the scheme fell sharply last financial year after being over-subscribed in 2010-11. That lead to an underspend of £50.6 million in 2011-12.
Claim rates are again low this year, raising fears of another underspend. But the new eligibility criteria should mean more householders in England can claim the cash. Previously the rules had prevented households with a heating system, even if it was not working, from claiming grants, according to National Energy Action.
Consumer Focus said the new criteria mean that even if applicants had previously been turned down it was worth reapplying with installed measures enabling energy bill savings of up to £600 per household per year.
“We would urge anyone struggling with their bills to find out if they can claim free help,” said Consumer Focus programme director Jonathan Stearn.